Lennon said: “Never say never but we had a third bid yesterday from Norwich and that was rejected.

“Again, it was well short of what we think he’s worth. We haven’t put a price on him. If people want to make a bid, fine, but they’ll have to come forward with the money and we’ll see where it takes us.

“I’m hoping he’s here on Friday. You would never guarantee it but I would bet on it, although I’m not a betting man.

“Do I expect another bid? I don’t know. A lot of things happen on the last day, it’s pretty frantic, but the only concrete offer we’ve had for any of the players has been for Gary from Norwich.

“He’s my best player, one of my best players, a fantastic all-round centre-forward. The next time we play here is against Juventus and I think that really appeals to him. He’s ambitious, wants to further his career eventually. But, for now, he looks pretty happy.”

35 comments

I think I'd be happy with spending £10m on Hooper, if he can help secure our safety this year the money we'll make next year will be worth it.

Fair comments 88Bhoy, apparently Norwich aren't offering much up front anyway and a drib and drab pay off scheme. We've got two strikers so far and what have we actually paid out. Not a lot. I'd say we've got room for movement and we might get Hooper. We'll see.

From a Scot here in Singapore I would say that if we bid silly money for Hooper we could just could end up as Liverpool were when the splashed out silly money on Carroll - the SPL used to be on par with the Championship before they or, and I apologize for swearing, Doncaster completely fouled up on the Rangers fiasco. Now about League 1 standard! If the price is right go for him but not silly money! OTBC

Welcome aboard Becchio however can't help feeling disappointed NCFC didn't sign Hooper or Van Winkle. Still if we stay up then a well spent £200K.
On a separate note QPR heading for administration with their busines over the last 2 years. Anyone thinking the owner is funding these wages and fees is deluded (ask any Portsmouth fan) it all goes on the club's credit card.
Love to be in the WBA dressing room when odemwingie returns tomorrow

Celtic will probably con a bigger club to pay silly money for Hooper in the summer. Then he`ll spend much of his career bench-warming until being sundered off to the Championship in a damage limitation excercise. Or he could come to us for a sensible fee and get to PLAY against the top teams instead of that L1-equivalent selection he "competes" against currently. He could look back on a lost opportunity and thank Celtic for that.

Welcome aboard Becchio however can't help feeling disappointed NCFC didn't sign Hooper or Van Winkle. Still if we stay up then a well spent £200K.
On a separate note QPR heading for administration with their busines over the last 2 years. Anyone thinking the owner is funding these wages and fees is deluded (ask any Portsmouth fan) it all goes on the club's credit card.
Love to be in the WBA dressing room when odemwingie returns tomorrow

On the work permit issue , how is it that every lost soul on the planet can come here and claim benefits , yet a footballer that will be earning very very good money and thus paying lots tax has to have played in 75% of his country's national fixtures . Doesn't really make sense .

Thanks for clarification, Swiss. I am experiencing a Shawshankian spell of obtusity today, for which I humbly apologise. Has Becks got any female offspring? Since he`s soon to join Paris St Germain, a ready made name awaits. Saint.

That`s true, Singapore. It`s been a while since Kneel Donkeystar was last mentioned on these boards. It really is sad what`s happened to Scottish Football. I mean, a Premier League with only 2 realistic contenders was crazy, but now only one!?

I totally agree Pete. We wouldn't have signed these guys if we didn't think they could make the step up. People said that about Holty + he's an effective force in the Prem whether scoring or not. Hooper also unproven @ this level. Best part of £10m ? On yer bike ! I'm glad we didn't sign him. Seen videos of Celtic fans shouting abuse @ our soldiers ( not the whole crowd but a sizeable minority) so quite frankly I wouldn't want a shower like them to have our money. Must be the only club in Britain to object to poppies on the shirt. Absolutely shameful + a disgrace to football + the UK. Needless to say I didn't go to the "friendly" against them.

Lennon would be lucky to get 4-4.5million in the summer for him. Hugely over-priced at 8million or what ever figure they are dreaming up. Surely for that price there's better?
Who else is feeling we're gunna get robbed?

Hooper is overpriced £4m would seem reasonable , if Hoots is intent on the market north of the border what about John Sutton at Hearts , wouldn't cost anything near £8m . Also I take it the Rip Van Winkle deal was dead before it started .

Gentlemen, please excuse my intrusion and no offence intended. The SPL is ******* for sure but there are some very silly, very ill informed comments here guys. Be under no illusions, Hooper is a top class striker whom Celtic gambled 2.4 million on as a raw player from the lower leagues. His first touch and pace over the first 5-10 yards is phenominal. Strong as an ox and bullies much bigger players - including at European level. A died in the wool striker who scores from any angle and hits the ball with venom - no tap ins. There aren't too many of those around and he's as good or better than Brian McClair was before he went to Utd. Celtic aren't stupid. They turned down 7million from Southampton last January and again in the summer. Spurs HAVE been monitoring him and he's a Spurs fan. Celtic's price is 10 million. We have no need to sell but we could cope if we did. It's a big IF, but by no means out of the question - if Celtic beat Juve it will add a further 8-10million to their coffers and we've already got money in the bank. We got 7million from Swasea for a midfielder who couldn't hold down a regular spot and he's now an ever present in Swansea's team. If Hooper performs well andor scores against Juve it will add more to his value. He still has 18 months on his contract. SPL or not Celtic are a 1,000 times bigger club than Norwich has ever been or will ever be and we've never been relegated. Champions League last 16 and move on in the summer or relegation dogfight with clubs similar to Norwich? And you might just slip through the Championship trap door on the last day. If Hooper does go to Norwich and performs it will merely be a stepping stone. Better off spending your paltry 7million on the journeyman Crouch or pay up for Hooper!

Should have posted this here. "You're not telling me that Hooper wouldn't prefer to pit his wits against the likes of Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe as opposed to Tosh McTavish or Jimmy McSporron. Anyway £8m is far too much." Mr Lennon, you can keep your Scunny quasi Jock.

Gentlemen, please excuse my intrusion and no offence intended. The SPL is ******* for sure but there are some very silly, very ill informed comments here guys. Be under no illusions, Hooper is a top class striker whom Celtic gambled 2.4 million on as a raw player from the lower leagues. His first touch and pace over the first 5-10 yards is phenominal. Strong as an ox and bullies much bigger players - including at European level. A died in the wool striker who scores from any angle and hits the ball with venom - no tap ins. There aren't too many of those around and he's as good or better than Brian McClair was before he went to Utd. Celtic aren't stupid. They turned down 7million from Southampton last January and again in the summer. Spurs HAVE been monitoring him and he's a Spurs fan. Celtic's price is 10 million. We have no need to sell but we could cope if we did. It's a big IF, but by no means out of the question - if Celtic beat Juve it will add a further 8-10million to their coffers and we've already got money in the bank. We got 7million from Swasea for a midfielder who couldn't hold down a regular spot and he's now an ever present in Swansea's team. If Hooper performs well andor scores against Juve it will add more to his value. He still has 18 months on his contract. SPL or not Celtic are a 1,000 times bigger club than Norwich has ever been or will ever be and we've never been relegated. Champions League last 16 and move on in the summer or relegation dogfight with clubs similar to Norwich? And you might just slip through the Championship trap door on the last day. If Hooper does go to Norwich and performs it will merely be a stepping stone. Better off spending your paltry 7million on the journeyman Crouch or pay up for Hooper!